The central Government has ordered 2 Kashmir-related websites and 20 YouTube channels to be blocked under the new information technology rules notified this year, a ministry of information and broadcasting statement said on Tuesday.
“The channels were used to post divisive content in a coordinated manner on topics like Kashmir, Indian Army, minority communities in India, Ram Mandir, General Bipin Rawat, etc,” the ministry said.
Among the 20 YouTube channels ordered to be blocked are those launched by The Naya Pakistan Group (NPG), operating from Pakistan, having a network of YouTube channels, that have a combined subscriber base of over 35 lakh. Their videos have had over 55 crore views.
Among the YouTube channels blocked are The Punch Line, International Web News, Khalsa Tv, The Naked Truth, News 24, 48 news, Fictional, Historical Facts, Punjab Viral, Naya Pakistan Global and Cover Story, among others.
I&B minister Anurag Thakur said an inquiry was conducted to assess the attempts to spread anti-India content from across the border. “These channels and web portals were in violation of the law,” he said. “Strict action has been taken against websites which seek to promote Pakistan’s agenda and prevent them from working against India.”
The two websites, Kashmir Global and Kashmir Watch, have been ordered to be blocked in their entirety.